The Documentary
This upcoming documentary will explore the history and background of one of the most controversial works of modern children’s literature: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. In many American libraries of the '80s and '90s these books developed a growing interest from boys and girls who were taken in by the gothic tales, the whimsical tone, and the ghostly illustrations. Now the Scary Stories book series stands as the most challenged children’s book of the last 30 years and a testament to the power of something that is often taken for granted: a good scary story.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a 3-book anthology of folk tales and urban legends by Alvin Schwartz and originally illustrated by Stephen Gammell. The Scary Stories book series were steeped in mythology that has been handed down for many years. The detailed appendices and source materials listed in the books invite us into a fascinating exploration involving some of the foundations of cultural storytelling. Fear, death, the unknown. And it allows us to take a mindful look at the way we entertain children, pass down our heritage, and influence them through the stories we tell.
Along with the tales, the illustrations by Stephen Gammell have had an endearing impact, as well as an interesting history. Influencing artists for years, they have made an indelible impression on so many who grew up thumbing through the pages. The vivid and haunting images can be considered some of the most influential illustrations of modern children’s literature. Delving into their gothic and ancient influences as well as looking at their captivating impact on modern artwork can illuminate the deep impression illustrations can have on the stories we tell our children.
In addition, to tackle the books as a subject inevitably involves the topic of censorship amongst children’s literature. Using arguably the most censored modern example, this documentary intends to shine a light on the practice and explore the many facets and opinions involved with challenging children’s books in America.
The author of the books Alvin Schwartz passed away in 1992. But his family is involved and very supportive of this documentary. With them and others, we will get the inside story of these books and explore a number of interesting aspects relating to children's literature, folklore, and history along the way.
“I’ve often had parents, being a children’s librarian, come to me and say, my kids just really don’t like to read. And my number one response is always it’s not that your kid doesn’t like to read. It’s just that they haven’t found the right book. This might be a book that I would definitely put in the hands of a kid who might not like to read.”
- Kristin Pekoll, Assistant Director for ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom |
We crowdfunded the project previously, which allowed us to get as far as we have gotten. We're here again, hoping to finish this thing.
I have done a couple Reddit AMAs with the son of the author, Peter Schwartz. Please take a look for even more information there:
AMA on 4/24/15 | AMA on 10/1/15
I have also been interviewed and been included on numerous podcasts to discuss the documentary. Check out the Press & Mentions page of our website to get a listing of those.
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Current/Upcoming Interviews
So far...
With the proceeds of the first crowdfunding campaign we filmed an additional 13 interviews (now 18 in all) in Boston, New Jersey, and Gary, IN as well as we filmed a full day in the Firestone Library and other locations in Princeton, New Jersey, where the author lived and the books were first collected. The trailer provides a good representation of what has been done so far. But we have only completed approximately 1/3 of what is planned. We need help finishing what we have started.
What We Need
We need funds to bring it home. After more research and interviews, we have a much better idea of what is left, locations we want to travel to, and additional costs that weren't anticipated earlier in the project. We are requesting more than we did for the first crowdfunding campaign, and half of that is due to archive footage that has been found since last spring. Licensing footage is expensive, but in this case, necessary to getting the whole picture of these books and their history. There is also a slightly higher travel budget that is needed. While previously it was anticipated we would conduct most filming in the Midwest and a small amount on the East Coast, we now have plans in place to film in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Missouri, as well as more filming in Chicago, Indiana, and Boston.
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What You Get
$10 - Ah! Get a scary THANKS!
Get a mention! In return for supporting our film, you'll get a hearty THANKS in the form of a mention at the end of the documentary.
$25 - Aah! Watch out for the FILM!
Along with a THANKS, you get the FILM. Yes, the documentary itself. Get a digital copy of the film when it is complete.
$35 - Aaah! Run BACKSTAGE!
All above and a BACKSTAGE pass. You will get a special behind-the-scenes featurette along with the finished documentary.
$60 - Aaaah! Get a scary SHIRT!
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That's right. We have shirts! The awesome Ryan Sheffield (creator of those fantastic Gammell-inspired Tarot cards) helped in creating a fun shirt to proudly declare your love for Scary Stories. Can you dig it?
Check out the image
here.
Check out Ryan's other artwork
here.
$80 - Aaaaah! Get a PIECE
That's right. Get all above AND an original piece of tribute art. We had amazing artists take one of the illustrations and reimagine it in in their own personal style. The illustrations of Stephen Gammell have gone on to inspire generations of artists. These pieces pay respect to those as well as send the message that the art is alive and well in the artists of today. Contributing at this level will get you one of these 9x12in prints, your choice, personally signed and delivered via mail.
Choose one of TWO pieces by Chad Savage. With a degree in illustration and graphic design, 20+ years’ experience drawing and designing for the horror genre and over 15 years’ experience in web design, the artwork of Chad Savage has appeared in (and on the cover of) numerous books and magazines and garnered awards from same.
Website | Twitter | Instagram
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OR choose this magnificent "clown" from Wednesday Wolf. Wednesday Wolf wants to make the world a little stranger. This Seattle-based artist is known for putting his own ghoulish twist on some of our culture's most iconic images.
Website | Twitter
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$100 - Aaaaaah! Get the POSTER
For $20 more, rather than getting the tribute art, get the poster! This is an original 18x24inch teaser poster created by Matthew Therrien.
Check out the image here.
Check out more of Matthew's art: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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Risks and Challenges
There are always risks and obstacles. The most likely issue is that we fall short of our funding goal. We have crowdfunded before and have shown that we are dedicated to seeing this project through until completion. If we do not raise all the needed funds, we will persevere. We have multiple grant opportunities in the pipeline. We could crowdfund again one more time for "completion costs." We will do whatever it takes. We're going to keep plugging away with whatever we have to do. Many similar documentaries have taken several years to get the job done. I have been working on this documentary for approximately two years, in researching, planning, and executing. I will work on it for several more if I need to. But of course, I would love to get it done in 2016. And backers of our previous campaign would love it as well.
FAQ
When is this documentary coming out?
That all depends. If we successfully fund the rest of production now, plans are in place to finish the documentary in the spring and summer of 2016 and most likely begin entering it into film festivals by the fall of 2016. Beyond that point, like many documentaries, we would just have to see what happens. It would be great to eventually see it on one or more of the online streaming services. But it is always hard to say. Your best bet is to purchase it early through this campaign. If funding goes well, we may be able to get a digital copy to you by the end of 2016.
Is the author and/or illustrator involved?
The author Alvin Schwartz passed away in 1992. His family has been closely involved, some of whom have already been interviewed. This includes his wife Barbara Schwartz who is mentioned often in the books. And you'll notice in the trailer that one of his grandsons Daniel Schwartz has been interviewed and visited the house in which they lived and the library in which he researched when collecting the tales.
Stephen Gammell has declined to be interviewed. He seems to have a longstanding policy on not giving interviews with anyone, including his publisher. We only hope that he will see and appreciate the finished project.
Did you know they are adapting the books into a movie?
Yes. In December of 2013 it was announced that CBS Films was in pre-production, or the script-stage, of producing a fictional film based on the books. In November of 2014 it was announced that they had changed to a new scriptwriter, and the film was still in pre-production. And in January 2016 it was announced that Guillermo Del Toro is producing and possibly directing the film. Although it could never be proven, thoughts of the books being a fantastic subject for a documentary were in very early stages before any of this was ever announced, as early as 2013. The large response that was seen when the news of the fictional film was announced went further to prove that there was a large number of people that yearned for something. To us, a nonfiction documentary seemed like the perfect fit. We believe that a documentary is what is needed to shine a light on this unique story.
Follow Us
Don't forget to follow us! I'm active on social media, so any fan of the books should make sure you follow us. I find all kinds of fun Scary Stories-related tribute art, anecdotes, and other things on a regular basis.
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